domenica 27 novembre 2016

«Vigilate ergo»

Today the Advent Season starts and, with it,
the new liturgical year. This year we also resume from the beginning the
three-year cycle of readings with the Year A, during which we are going to read
the gospel of Matthew.

Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. Since
this year Christmas is falling on Sunday, we will have four full weeks of
preparation for this great solemnity. But the Catechism of the Catholic
Church reminds us of another aspect of this liturgical season: “When the
Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present [the]
ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for
the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his
second coming” (#524).

That is why we read, during Advent, the utterances
of the ancient prophets; so, we can relive the Jewish expectancy of the
Messiah’s coming. That is the best way to get ready for celebrating his
birthday. The Catechism calls the historical birth of Jesus “first
coming,” because we are waiting for his “second coming.” So, we are somehow in
the same condition of the ancient Jews: we too are waiting, like them, for our
Savior’s coming—for his second coming. In this way, we can really share in the
same feelings of expectation.

That is the reason why, especially during the
first part of Advent, the liturgical texts are mostly about this second coming.
Take today’s readings: the three of them are an invitation for us to look at
the final things. The first reading portrays the eternal peace of the Kingdom
of God, toward which we are directed. The second reading invites us to awake
from sleep. Why? “For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of
darkness and put on the armor of light.” Notice: firstly, we are waiting for
our salvation, not for our damnation. So, why to be afraid? Secondly, to get
this salvation, we have to put off the old man and put on the new man. What
does it mean? Paul tells us to get rid of orgies and drunkenness, promiscuity
and lust, rivalry and jealousy, and take on the attitudes of Jesus Christ
himself.

The gospel could seem less encouraging than
Paul. Actually, unlike what we usually think, Jesus’ words are often harsh; not
because he likes to frighten us, but because he wants to confront us with our
responsibility. The teaching of today’s gospel is quite clear: “The Son of Man
will come.” That is sure. The only problem is that we do not know when. Jesus
says: “At an hour you do not expect.” That is why he adds: “You must be
prepared,” because, if so, whenever he comes, he will find us ready. Hence, his
invitation to watchfulness: “Therefore, stay awake! (Vigilate ergo) For
you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” We should be like the master
of the house who stays always awake, lest the thief breaks into the house. We
should not be like the contemporaries of Noah, who lived carefree, without
realizing the impending danger. “They were eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.” It seems the
description of today’s mankind. Usually, we are inclined to justify unaware
people; but in this case there is no excuse, because God sends us his warnings;
but we prefer to disregard them. God often sends us also his prophets, but we
prefer to ridicule and oppose them. So, we cannot say: “We did not know,” even
because Jesus himself warned us. We know that “at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.” We have no choice: we cannot but get ready for his
coming. Sooner or later, he is coming back; so, it is better for us to be found
prepared. It’s worth it.